Report

The Best Countries for American Nurses

Last updated August 24, 2026

Key findings

The United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia provide some of the clearest combinations of nurse demand, employer-backed immigration, and a visible registration process.

Nursing registration is not a formality. A US RN or advanced-practice credential does not automatically become the same license, specialty, or scope of practice abroad.

Canada can be attractive for permanent residence, but immigration approval does not authorize nursing practice. Registration remains provincial or territorial and can continue after the immigration decision.

Nurses are in demand across many countries, but demand alone does not create a usable pathway. A realistic move requires three things to align: immigration status, registration with the local nursing regulator, and a job that fits the recognized nursing category.

This report is for US-trained registered nurses and related nursing professionals. Nursing assistants, care workers, midwives, and nurse practitioners may fall under different immigration and licensing rules.

Best-fit countries for American nurses

Rank	Country	Strong starting pathways	Why it stands out	What to verify
1	United Kingdom	Health and Care Worker	A dedicated health pathway, approved-employer sponsorship, and a well-documented overseas registration process	NMC eligibility, English evidence, Test of Competence if required, sponsor, occupation code, and pay
2	Ireland	Critical Skills Employment Permit	Nursing roles can align with critical-skills immigration and a strong family and settlement framework	NMBI qualification recognition and registration, employer offer, permit occupation and pay
3	New Zealand	Green List Tier 1	Listed registered-nurse roles can support a direct residence route with qualifying employment	Nursing Council registration, exact scope, accredited employer, role, and pay conditions
4	Australia	Skilled Independent 189 / Skilled Nominated 190 / Employer Nomination 186	Multiple permanent skilled routes and recurring demand across nursing occupations	AHPRA/NMBA registration, skills assessment, occupation, points or employer nomination
5	Canada	Express Entry FSW / PNP	Healthcare-focused selection and provincial nomination can support direct permanent residence	Provincial registration, credential assessment, language, CRS or nomination, and whether the exact nursing occupation is selected
6	Germany	Skilled Worker / Recognition Measures / Recognition Partnership	A large care need and pathways built around qualification recognition	Nursing is regulated; recognition, German ability, and possible compensation measures are central
7	Norway	Skilled Worker	A skilled-worker route can fit nurses with an offer and local authorization	Norwegian health-professional authorization, language, employer, and qualification recognition
8	United Arab Emirates	Employment Visa	Hospitals and health systems recruit internationally and can sponsor employment	Emirate-specific professional licensing, primary-source verification, contract terms, and limited permanent-settlement value

Why the UK ranks first

The UK combines a health-specific work route with an established process for nurses trained outside the country. A qualifying employer offer can support the Health and Care Worker visa, while the Nursing and Midwifery Council separately decides whether the applicant can join the register.

That separation matters. A certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee NMC registration, and progress with the NMC does not guarantee a visa or job. Nurses should coordinate the employer, immigration, and registration timelines rather than completing them in isolation.

Nursing titles do not transfer neatly

Before choosing a country, confirm how it treats your exact role:

Registered nurse versus enrolled, practical, or vocational nurse.
Nurse practitioner or other advanced-practice role.
Midwife, which is often separately regulated.
Mental-health, pediatric, intensive-care, operating-room, community, or public-health nursing.
Nursing assistant, personal-care worker, or aged-care worker, which may use a different occupation and pathway.

The same US education and license can produce a different recognized scope abroad. Ask the regulator for the likely registration category, required exams or supervised practice, and whether you may work while completing any gap measures.

Shortlist by priority

Your priority	Start with
Clearest employer-sponsored clinical route	UK, Ireland
Direct or relatively direct residence potential	New Zealand, Australia, Canada
Willingness to learn another language and complete recognition	Germany, Norway
Fixed-term international hospital career	UAE
Moving with a partner and children	Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany

Compare the broader Best Countries for American Healthcare Workers for allied health, pharmacy, dentistry, care work, and health technology.
Physicians should use the separate Best Countries for American Doctors, because medical licensing and immigration routes differ materially.
Households relocating together should also read Best Countries for American Families Moving Abroad.

Methodology and official sources

Countries are ranked by nursing-specific immigration fit, visibility of the registration process, settlement potential, and family practicality. The report does not rank compensation, staffing ratios, union conditions, or healthcare systems. Rules differ by nursing category and change over time.